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Updated January 22nd, 2020 at 19:04 IST

New Lebanon government holds first cabinet meeting

Lebanon's new government held its first meeting on Wednesday, a day after it was formed following a three-month-long political vacuum.

New Lebanon government holds first cabinet meeting
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Lebanon's new government held its first meeting on Wednesday, a day after it was formed following a three-month-long political vacuum.

But even as the government convened, protesters briefly closed off major roads in and around Beirut, denouncing it as a rubber stamp for the same political parties they blame for widespread corruption.

The new Cabinet, which has the support of the powerful militant Hezbollah group and its allies, has a monumental task ahead — including getting Lebanon out of its worst economic and financial crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.

The crisis worsened since mass protests against the political elite started in mid-October, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government two weeks later.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the ministers held the first meeting at the presidential palace; President Michel Aoun attended the session. The 20-member Cabinet is made up mostly of specialists and includes six women — a record number for Lebanon — holding key ministries, including those of defense, justice and labour.

Analysts say the new government, being politically aligned with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, would likely have difficulty drumming up international and regional support needed to avoid economic collapse.

Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US and oil-rich gulf countries whose support is badly needed for debt-ridden Lebanon.

The European Union considers the military wing of Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

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Published January 22nd, 2020 at 19:04 IST

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